Creating animations

ABSTRACT

Animation creation is described, for example, to enable children to create, record and play back stories. In an embodiment, one or more children are able to create animation components such as characters and backgrounds using a multi-touch panel display together with an image capture device. For example, a graphical user interface is provided at the multi-touch panel display to enable the animation components to be edited. In an example, children narrate a story whilst manipulating animation components using the multi-touch display panel and the sound and visual display is recorded. In embodiments image analysis is carried out automatically and used to autonomously modify story components during a narration. In examples, various types of handheld view-finding frames are provided for use with the image capture device. In embodiments saved stories can be restored from memory and retold from any point with different manipulations and narration.

BACKGROUND

Apparatus to create animations is required for many applications such asenabling children to create, record and play back their own stories; fordesigners to create story boards rapidly; for capturing ideas forfeature films; and to enable adults to capture narrated stories aboutlife events. For example, there is a huge potential for new educationaland learning tools for children which enable them to create their ownanimations and/or tell stories either individually or working as a team.

There is much evidence from pedagogical literature that storytelling andfantasy play is an important part of the development of young children.Fantasy play is important for children's cognitive, linguistic,emotional and social development as well as developing collaboration andpeer negotiation skills. Often stories are told by manipulating physicaltoys as story characters, narrating the story at the same time. However,many of today's computer implemented animation creation systems forchildren use computer-related technology but do not allow children tocreate animations using their imaginations and develop ideas in a childcentered way, or in ways which encourage collaboration amongst children.

Some previous animation creation systems are known which let a usercreate digital stories with virtual characters and environments using astandard computer. The storyteller has some freedom in the creation ofcharacters and storylines but children and other novice users need to beable to operate a standard computer. In addition, they must create allcontent on the computer from scratch and therefore cannot leverage therichness already existing in physical objects and environments.

Other systems track physical toys augmented with sensors and can recordthe movements of the toys as well as narrations to create a story.Systems are available that let the storyteller attach a video camera todifferent toys and create first person view scenarios augmented by voicenarration. These types of systems are reliant on existing physical toysand this can limit the imagination and creative potential of thechildren or other users. Also, it is often difficult for children toattach cameras to existing physical toys. In addition, the resultingimages are often difficult for children to interpret as they may not betaken from a view point that is understood or recognised by the child.Still further systems rely on physical proxy objects representinginformation added to a scenario. Using physical proxy objects in thisway also limits the amount of creativity allowed and requires the childor other user to learn how to use and understand the effects of theproxy object.

Previous systems have had no or limited ability to enable users to workcollaboratively in the creation of animations. This is particularly thecase in systems designed for use by children who typically all want tojoin in to capture images and create animations perhaps by taking on theroles of different characters in a narrative. Some systems have usedphysical proxy objects to enable collaborative animation creation butthis requires use of such proxy objects which is not always intuitive orstraightforward for end users and can hinder collaboration wheremultiple children wish to use the same proxy object. In addition thephysical proxy objects are limited in their functionality.

The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations whichsolve any or all of the disadvantages of known animation creationsystems.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identifykey/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of theinvention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed hereinin a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description thatis presented later.

Animation creation is described, for example, to enable children tocreate, record and play back stories. In an embodiment, one or morechildren are able to create animation components such as characters andbackgrounds using a multi-touch panel display together with an imagecapture device. For example, a graphical user interface is provided atthe multi-touch panel display to enable the animation components to beedited. In an example, children narrate a story whilst manipulatinganimation components using the multi-touch display panel and the soundand visual display is recorded. In embodiments image analysis is carriedout automatically and used to autonomously modify story componentsduring a narration. In examples, various types of handheld view-findingframes are provided for use with the image capture device. Inembodiments saved stories can be restored from memory and retold fromany point with different manipulations and narration.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the followingdetailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is an example of an animation creation system;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a graphical user interface in ‘tell’ mode;

FIG. 3 shows an example of picture editing;

FIG. 4 illustrates example picture editing processes;

FIG. 5 illustrates image manipulation processes;

FIG. 6 shows an example of an objects archive being accessed;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a backgrounds archive being accessed;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a stories archive being accessed;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method carried out at an animationcreation system by user(s) in order to record an animation;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method carried out by an animationcreation system in order to record an animation;

FIG. 11 is an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) in ‘tell’mode;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method carried out at an animation systemto replay a stored animation;

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary image capture device with part of its housingomitted to show internal components;

FIG. 14 shows a view-finding frame with and without an attached imagecapture device;

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary speaker/microphone;

FIG. 16 shows a view-finding frame in the form of a magnifying glass;

FIG. 17 shows a view-finding frame in the form of a “telescope”;

FIG. 18 shows another example of a view-finding frame;

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary computing based device in which a surfacebased storytelling system may be implemented.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is notintended to represent the only forms in which the present example may beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of theexample and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating theexample. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may beaccomplished by different examples.

Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein asbeing implemented in a children's storytelling system, the systemdescribed is provided as an example and not a limitation. As thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitablefor application in a variety of different types of animation systems.

The term “touch panel display” is used to refer to a surface arranged todisplay digital images electronically and where the surface is alsoarranged to detect a physical object (such as a stylus, human digit,playing piece, or tagged object such as a puck) which either makescontact with the surface or which is close to but not in actual contactwith the surface. The digital images displayed may be of any suitabletype such as video, still images, animated pictures, electronicdrawings, graphical user interface features, or any other type ofdigital images. Some examples of touch panel displays have functionalityto enable discrimination between events where objects come into contactwith the touch panel and events where objects merely come into closeadjacency with the touch panel.

The term “multi-touch panel display” is used to refer to a touch paneldisplay which is able to both detect two or more co-occurring physicalobjects (or parts of the same object) which either make contact with thesurface or come close to but do not make actual contact with the surfaceand discriminate between those two or more physical contacts.

FIG. 1 shows an example animation creation system 108 comprising amulti-touch panel display 101 which is integral with or in communicationwith a computing device 100 for controlling the multi-touch paneldisplay. The multi-touch panel display 101 may be planar or non-planarand may be rigid or flexible.

The multi-touch panel display may be of any suitable type. For example,it may be implemented using any suitable technology such as using asurface which is edge lit with a light source, such as near infra-red(IR) LED's such that the light undergoes total internal reflection. Forexample, the multi-touch panel display may be any suitable type ofsurface computer such as those currently commercially available.

The animation creation system comprises a processor 104 arranged tocontrol the multi-touch panel display 101 and which itself comprises oris in communication with an image analysis component 102, a userinterface engine 103 and a data store 107. The user interface engine 103is arranged to display a graphical user interface at the multi-touchpanel 101. The user may interact with a storytelling environmentdisplayed using the user interface at the multi-touch panel display. Theimage analysis component is arranged to analyse images captured by theimage capture device 105 and/or images created by a user of themulti-touch panel display, for example, by using a drawing facility. Thedata store 107 is arranged to store images captured by the image capturedevice as well as animations created by the system, and animationcomponents created by the system 108.

An image capture device 105 is connected to the animation creationsystem 108 either using a physical connection or by a wireless link orother communications link. The image capture device can be any type ofdevice which can output images in a computer readable form, such as awebcam or video camera. The images captured by the device may be movingimage sequences or may be still images. A microphone 106 is provided incommunication with the animation creation system. A loudspeaker is alsoprovided in communication with the animation creation system. Themicrophone and loudspeaker may optionally be provided integral with theimage capture device.

The animation creation system provides the ability for one or more usersto create an animation from a plurality of animation components. Theterm “animation component” is used to refer to an image, audio clip,drawing, annotated image, or any object which may be displayed using theanimation creation apparatus, or any combination of these items. Theanimation components may be pre-configured at the animation creationapparatus, they may be received from other entities in communicationwith the animation creation apparatus, and they may be created by a userof the apparatus. Any combination of these options is also possible.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a graphical user interface displayed at themulti-touch panel display 101 and provided by the user interface engine103. The user is presented with a variety of options which can beselected by making user input at the multi-touch panel display. Theremay be one or more users, described herein using the term ‘user’. Theseoptions include ‘teach me’ 200, which allows the user to view ananimation explaining how the system works. ‘Photo’ 201 which allows theuser to trigger the image capture device 105 from the GUI. ‘Objects’ 202and ‘Backgrounds’ 203 allow the user to select previously createdforeground and background animation components and add them to a currentanimation, or to store animation components they have created in anarchive using a ‘drag and drop’ method. ‘Stories’ 204 allows the user anoption to replay previously recorded stories from the archive. ‘Blank’205 allows the user to create animation components from scratch using amulti-touch technique which can be finger-painting or similar. The‘trash’ option 206 allows users to delete previously created orcurrently edited animation components by using a ‘drag and drop’ methodto move the animation component to a part of the GUI displaying, forexample, a waste-paper basket. The ‘timer’ option 207 displays acount-down on the GUI prior to activating the image capture device 105,which allows the user a certain amount of time before the image is takenwhere, for example, they are taking a self portrait. When the user isready to begin creating their animation they can activate the ‘tell’option 208 which gives the option to record their animations.

FIG. 3 shows the GUI when an image 300 (such as a digital photograph ofa cat in this example) is input from the image capture device 105. Whenthe image 300 is imported by the user into a workspace of the graphicaluser interface by capturing from the image capture device 105, selectingfrom the object archive 202, the backgrounds archive 203, or creatingfrom scratch using a blank drawing 205, the user is presented with anumber of options to enable them to edit and manipulate the image 300.These include options to ‘cut’ out 301 a section of the image, ‘erase’302 a section of the image, draw 303 on the image and move 304 theimage. When an additional image 305 is added the user has the additionaloption to ‘paste’ 306 the two images together. The functions of theseoptions are further described in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates possible image editing options available to the user.When an image is input from the image capture device 105 itautomatically appears on the multi-touch panel display 101 then the useris presented with a variety of options for editing the image asdescribed in FIG. 3 above.

These can include options such as ‘cut’ 301. When this option isselected by the user the processor 104 is arranged such that a linetraced by the user around a portion of the original image 300 detectedby the multi-touch panel display delineates a new image 400 with an edgecomprising the line traced by the user.

When the ‘erase’ option 302 is selected then the processor 104 isarranged to allow the user to ‘rub-out’ part of the image usingmulti-touch gestures detected at the multi-touch panel display. In theexample shown in FIG. 4 a part of the tail of the cat in image 300 iserased to create a new image 401.

When the ‘draw’ option 303 is selected the processor 104 is arranged sothat touch gestures from the user are used to create sketches. Thesesketches can be combined with an existing image 402 to create a newimage 403, or can be drawn onto a blank surface 205 chosen by the user.The user may be able to select from a wide variety of options for thecolor, thickness and pattern of the lines drawn.

When the ‘paste’ option 306 is selected by the user two or more imagescan be combined. The images can be input from the image capture device105 or restored from the data store 107 using the ‘objects’ option 202or ‘backgrounds’ option 203. The processor 104 is then arranged torecognise that gestures from the user, for example, dragging one image400 so that it is combined with another image 402, detected by themulti-touch panel display are ‘paste’ actions and create a new image 404from the prior images.

FIG. 5 shows options that can be carried out on an image using the‘move’ option 304. When this option is selected by the user theprocessor 104 is arranged to recognise that a number of gesturesdetected by the multi-touch panel display constitute image manipulationcommands. For example, using two fingers to ‘pull’ an image fromopposite corners may constitute a command to resize an image 404 to alarger size 500. A gesture where one side of an image 404 is selectedand the user carries out a twisting motion or draws an arc, can be acommand to rotate an image 501. A gesture where one side of the image404 is selected and then moved to the opposite side can be a command totranslate an image 502.

When a user has completed any image alteration processes they wish tocarry out the image can then be output as an animation component to adata storage device 107 by dragging the image to the ‘objects’ 202 or‘background’ 203 stores.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate various methods for restoring archivedanimation components to the GUI to be used in creating an animation.

FIG. 6 illustrates when the ‘objects’ option 202 is selected by theuser. The processor 104 is arranged to display the objects animationcomponents section of the data storage archive 107 on the multi-touchpanel display 101. This can be displayed on the GUI in any suitablemanner which may be customisable by the user and can include:slideshows, thumbnails and cartoon strips 600. When an object animationcomponent is selected by the user then the object animation componentcan be edited using the methods described in FIGS. 3-5.

FIG. 7 illustrates when the ‘backgrounds’ option 203 is selected by theuser. The processor 104 is arranged to display the background animationcomponents section of the data storage archive 107 on the multi-touchpanel display 101. This can be displayed on the GUI in any suitablemanner which may be customisable by the user and can include:slideshows, thumbnails and cartoon strips 700. When a backgroundanimation component is selected by the user then the backgroundanimation component can then be edited using the methods described inFIGS. 3-5.

FIG. 8 illustrates when the ‘stories’ option 204 is selected by theuser. The processor 104 is arranged to display previously recordedanimations stored at the data storage archive 107 on the multi-touchpanel display 101. This can be displayed on the GUI in any suitablemanner which may be customisable by the user and can include:slideshows, thumbnails, clips and cartoon strips 800. When a storyanimation is selected by the user then the story can then be replayed bythe user using the method described below in FIG. 11 or further editedusing the methods described in FIGS. 3-5.

FIGS. 9 and 10 contain flow charts which show methods for creating ananimation. In FIG. 9 the user first captures an image. The useroptionally selects 900 a hand-held view-finding frame arranged tosupport the image capture device using a fixing arranged to detachablyfix the image capture device to the frame and comprising a view-findingaperture. Examples of view-finding frames are described with referenceto FIGS. 13-18 below. The image capture device 104 is attached 901 tothe view-finding frame using a fixing on the view-finding frame andimage capture device which is of any suitable type. For example, thefixing may comprise magnets, Velcro, clips, brackets or other fixings. Auser such as child is easily able to hold the hand-held view findingframe and image capture device and to position 902 the view findingframe in order to capture a desired image. For example, the child isable to look through the aperture of the view finding frame and adjustthe position of the frame and image capture device until the scene to becaptured is in registration behind the aperture. The child is able totake a picture 903 by operating a button on the view finding frame whichtriggers the camera. Different types of view finding frame are availabledepending on the particular type of image to be captured and dependingon the number and skill level and preference of the user(s).

The user then creates 904 a foreground animation component. This can becarried out by selecting an image input from the image capture device105 and optionally performing any of the image alteration optionsdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and/or by restoring an image from thedata store 107 by selecting the ‘objects’ option 202 as described inFIG. 6 and optionally carrying out any of the image alteration optionsshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, or by creating an object from scratch usingthe ‘blank’ option 205. When the user is satisfied with the foregroundanimation component they have created the component can then be outputto a data store 107 by dragging it to the ‘objects’ store 202.

The user then creates 905 a background animation component. This can becarried out by selecting the image input from the image capture device105 and optionally performing any of the image alteration optionsdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, or by restoring an image from the datastore 107 by selecting the ‘background’ option 203 as described in FIG.6 and optionally carrying out any of the image alteration options shownin FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, or by creating an object from scratch using the‘blank’ option 205. When the user is satisfied with the backgroundanimation component they have created the component can then be outputto a data store by dragging it to the ‘background’ store 203.

The user can repeat the steps described above several times and in anyorder to create all the animation components they need.

The user can then combine 906 animation components from the ‘object’store 202 and the ‘background’ store 203 to create the first scene of ananimation.

When the user is ready to tell the story they may optionally create 907an image tag to be linked to the story. This can be an image of the useror any other animation component which will allow the animation to beidentified. When the user is ready to record their story they caninitiate 908 the process by pressing record.

This will activate the microphone 106 in order to record the user'snarrative in the form of an audio file and output any manipulation ofthe animation components on the multi-touch panel display to the datastore in the form of a video file. The user can at any point add furtherobject animation components 202 or change the background 203 whentelling 909 the story. During the narration phase one or more users maymanipulate display of animation components on the multi-touch paneldisplay. For example, an animation component depicting a fairy talecharacter may be made to move over a background animation componentdepicting a woodland path. The fairy tale character may be manipulatedsuch that it skips or jumps, changes in size as it moves along, makessomersaults as it moves along or similar. Simultaneously, otheranimation components may be independently manipulated by other users orthe same user. This enables collaborative animation creation. Theanimation components may also be autonomously manipulated by theanimation creation system without the need for user input. For example,a character may grow in size, change physical appearance as if gettingolder, emit an audio clip, make a movement or other change in a randomfashion or on the basis of rules, criteria, image analysis results orother information available to the animation creation system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method carried out at an animation system torecord a story. An image from an image capture device is input 1000 tothe animation creation system. The processor 104 is then arranged todisplay 1001 the image on the multi-touch panel display in combinationwith the GUI. In response to user commands the image can be edited 1003in a variety of ways discussed above. If the user decides to add 1004further images the processor can perform an instruction to restore 1005these from a data store or input 1000 further images from the imagecapture device.

When the ‘tell’ mode 208 is activated the processor is arranged todisplay an option to record. The tell mode is discussed further in FIG.11 below. When the record option is selected 1006 by the user then theimage input device is activated in order to record 1007 a ‘tag’ oridentifier for the story. After the tag has been created the systembegins recording 1008 and a video file combining an animation createdfrom translation of user gestures into manipulation of the animationcomponents on the surface and audio input from a microphone 106 iscreated. The processor will continue to output information to a videofile until the ‘stop’ option is selected 1009 by the user. The videofile of the animation and narration can then be stored 1010 at the datastore for later retrieval and replay. As mentioned above, during therecording phase the animation creation system is arranged toautonomously manipulate 1011 animation components in some situations.For example, an image analysis component 102 may comprise a facedetector and/or object recognition engine. The image analysis componentis arranged to analyse images captured by the image capture device 105and or images or drawings created or received at the animation creationsystem. The results of the image analysis component 102 may be used bythe processor 104 to autonomously manipulate animation components whichcomprise the analysed image. For example, an animation component whichis a drawing of a human character may be processed by the image analysiscomponent 102 and found to comprise a face. The processor 104 may thenbe arranged to change the appearance of the character to make thecharacter appear to grow older during an animation by adding wrinklesand grey hair. An object recognition engine may be used to detectclasses of object in the animation components such as buildings, trees,people, sky or other object classes. The processor is then able tomanipulate animation components using that object class information.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the GUI displayed on the multi-touch panelduring ‘tell’ mode, when a story is being recorded. The foreground andbackground objects 1100 can be combined and manipulated. A number ofoptions are also shown including record/pause 1101, in the event therecording has been paused a resume option 1102 can also be displayed,and a stop option 1103. When the system is recording this is indicatedon the screen 1104. In the example shown the fact that recording isbeing carried out is indicated by the words ‘recording’ but this may beindicated by a flashing spot, a light or any other appropriate method.

In the event a user selects, as described in FIG. 8, a previously savedstory then a number of additional steps can be carried out. This is nowdescribed with reference to FIG. 12. The animation can be played 1200and paused 1201 at any point. The user can choose whether or not tocreate a new animation from the point the previous animation was paused1202. In the case that the user chooses to create a new animation 1203all the editing and manipulation steps described in previous FIGS. 3-11are available to the user. In the event the user decides not to create anew animation but to continue watching the previously stored animationthen the animation can be resumed 1204.

In an example storytelling system two children wish to create a story.The first child sketches out a scene on the table with a forest, a riverand a dragon. The second child wishes to add a picture of a castle tothe scene, she locates a picture stored on the system and uses herfingers to cut out the castle. They wish to add their toys into thenarrative so they take pictures of toys and add them into the scene.They can then take snapshots of their own faces and either attach themto other images e.g. a picture of a robot toy taken earlier, or createnew bodies from scratch using the draw functions. Using their fingersand hands they manipulate the characters to act out a story whilerecording their voices to create a narrative and conversations betweenthe characters. The story is then output to a data store by the systemallowing it to be replayed later.

In a further example a grandmother has a large collection of objectsthat are meaningful to the family. She takes a picture of an object andnarrates a story about how the object was obtained. She adds in photosand videos relating to the object from folders stored on the datastorage device. Her voice is captured, along with an image of the objectand any operations she has performed on the surface during therecording. When family members and visitors drop by they can listen andcontribute by adding parts to the story.

In a still further example product designers can capture an image of aproduct they are developing. They can add further images of differentversions or different aspects of the product. They can workcollaboratively to manipulate or alter the designs using the featuresdescribed herein. They can capture comments about the design or designscenarios as well as discussion about problems and solutions and outputthese to the data store for later replay and editing as the productevolves.

In the examples described herein the storytelling process is linked tothe physical world by the use of the image capture device and directnessof user interaction is provided through the use of the multi-touch paneldisplay and view-finding frames. It is not necessary for users to beable to operate a standard computer. Also, there is no reliance onexisting physical toys or physical proxies which prevent the user fromtaking advantage of all the resources available within the digital worldscenario and limit the amount of fine level control and customization ofthe appearance and behaviour of the narration.

An exemplary image capture device is now described with reference toFIG. 13. The image capture device 1300 may optionally be connected toany of the hand held view-finding frames described with reference toFIGS. 14-18. The image capture device 1300 comprises a camera 1301 andoptionally a microphone 1302 which may or may not be used. The imagecapture device 1300 comprises a system of magnets 1303. The magnetsallow the camera to be connected to a circuit allowing the image capturedevice to be triggered using a button or buttons on a viewfinding frame.The magnets may also provide a fixing to enable the camera to be fixedto and supported by a view finding frame. The image capture device is incommunication with the animation creation apparatus. In this is examplethe method of communication is a USB cable 1304 but the method ofcommunication can be any wired or wireless communication.

FIG. 14 shows an example cross-hairs view-finding frame 1400 which theimage capture device can be attached to. The cross-hairs view-findingframe 1400 can be constructed from wood, plastic, metal or any othersuitable material which is lightweight, robust, able to support thecamera and suitable for use by children. The frame 1400 comprises aview-finding aperture 1401, which indicates whether the device is beingheld in a portrait or landscape position. A system of magnets 1402allows the image capture device to be attached to the frame. Whenattached the image capture device 1300 forms a cross-hair with a centralcrosspiece 1403. A circuit connected to the magnets allows the imagecapture device to be activated by pressing a button 1405 on thecross-hairs viewfinder 1400. The cross-hairs viewfinder also comprisesof a grip or handle 1406 to allow the user to hold the object and lineup the image which is to be taken. The button may be positioned inrelation to the handle such that, in use, the frame may be held and theimage capture device actuated, with one hand. By using a view findingframe as described herein the computational function of the camera ismade independent of the actuation mechanism for that camera. Thisenables the user experience to be changed easily by using differenttypes of view finding frame without the need to change the camera itself(either for a different camera or by selecting options at the camera).

FIG. 15 shows an example of a speaker/microphone device 1500. The deviceconsists of an internal speaker/microphone, which may be any systemknown in the art, situated within a perforated covering 1501. Thespeaker/microphone system can be attached to the multi-touch paneldisplay 101 or another object using a suction cup 1502 or otherattaching device. The speaker/microphone device 1500 also has a handleor grip 1503 for manoeuvring the device. The speaker microphone systemhas a system of magnets 1504 to which the image capture device 1300 canbe attached. The magnets are connected by a circuit to a button orbuttons 1505 which allows the image capture device to be activated. Thespeaker/microphone device 1500 can be constructed from wood, plastic,metal or any other suitable material. The buttons 1505 may havedifferent capturing settings such as immediate capture or delayedcapture or capture at a specified time.

FIG. 16 shows a view-finding frame 1600 in the form of a “magnifyingglass”. It comprises a generally circular frame with a rectangular viewfinding aperture 1601 which can be looked through to frame the image. Asystem of magnets 1602 is provided which allows the image capture deviceto be attached to the frame. The magnets may be provided at any suitablelocation on the frame which enables the camera to be fixed to the framedepending on the shape, size, type and weight of the camera being usedand on the required characteristics of the images to be captured. Themagnets may be connected by a circuit to a button 1603 located below theaperture and adjacent to a handle 1604. The button allows the imagecapture device to be activated when the button is pressed. The framealso comprises a handle or grip 1604 allowing the user to hold theframe. The magnifying glass frame 1600 can be constructed from wood,plastic, metal or any other suitable material.

FIG. 17 shows a view finding frame 1705 which has a generally conicalform intended to represent a telescope. The frame 1705 may beconstructed from wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material.View-finding apertures are situated at both the base 1701 and the apex1705 of the conical frame allowing the frame to be looked through. Theframe has a system of magnets 1702 as in the other view finding framesdescribed above. The telescope frame also comprises a handle or grip1703 allowing the user to hold the object and a button 1704 foractuating the image capture device.

FIG. 18 illustrates a view finding frame suitable for use by a pluralityof users at the same time. The frame 1800 is sized and shaped to allowtwo or more users to frame an image. The frame can be constructed fromwood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material. The frame comprisesa rectangular aperture 1801 which a plurality of users is able to lookthrough. Two handles 1802 are provided parallel with sides of therectangular aperture allowing a plurality of users to hold the object. Asystem of magnets is provided 1803 which allows the image capture deviceto be attached to the viewfinder object. The magnets are connected by acircuit to one or more buttons 1804 which allow the plurality of usersto activate the image capture to device. The buttons 1804 are located atthe tops of the handles for ease of operation. As mentioned above, thebuttons may provide different capturing settings such as countdown tocapture or immediate capture. When the image capture device is attachedto one of the devices described above it can indicate to the system thata particular effect should be applied to the captured image depending onthe type of view-finding frame being used. For example, when the imagecapture device is attached to the “magnifying glass” view-finding frame1600 it can indicate to the system to apply a vignette effect. Inanother example, when the image capture device is attached to the“telescope” frame 1700 it can indicate to the system to zoom the image.In order to achieve this the frame may comprise an identifier and theimage capture device may be arranged to associate the identifier withthe images of animation components. For example, the identifier may be asignal received at the animation creation apparatus when a connection isestablished between the image capture device and the animation creationapparatus. The processor 104 may be arranged to modify images receivedfrom the image capture device 105 on the basis of the view-finding frameidentifiers.

The objects described in FIGS. 14-18 are described as examples and notlimitations. As a reader skilled in the art will recognise there are avariety of ways of implementing view-finding frames.

FIG. 19 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing baseddevice 1900 which may be implemented as any form of computing and/orelectronic device, and in which embodiments of an animation creationsystem may be implemented.

The computing-based device 1900 comprises one or more inputs 1901 whichare of any suitable type for receiving media content, Internet Protocol(IP) input, images, videos, animation components etc. Computing-baseddevice 1900 also comprises one or more processors 1902 which may bemicroprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type of processorsfor processing computing executable instructions to control theoperation of the device in order to enable animation creation. Platformsoftware comprising an operating system 1904 or any other suitableplatform software may be provided at the computing-based device toenable application software 1905 to be executed on the device.

The computer executable instructions may be provided using anycomputer-readable media, such as memory 1903. The memory is of anysuitable type such as random access memory (RAM), a disk storage deviceof any type such as a magnetic or optical storage device, a hard diskdrive, or a CD, DVD or other disc drive. Flash memory, EPROM or EEPROMmay also be used.

An output 1907 is also provided such as an audio and/or video output toa display system integral with or in communication with thecomputing-based device. A display interface 1906 may be provided tocontrol a multi-touch panel display. The display interface may provide agraphical user interface, or other user interface of any suitable typealthough this is not essential.

The term ‘computer’ is used herein to refer to any device withprocessing capability such that it can execute instructions. Thoseskilled in the art will realize that such processing capabilities areincorporated into many different devices and therefore the term‘computer’ includes PCs, servers, mobile telephones, personal digitalassistants and many other devices.

The methods described herein may be performed by software in machinereadable form on a tangible storage medium. The software can be suitablefor execution on a parallel processor or a serial processor such thatthe method steps may be carried out in any suitable order, orsimultaneously.

This acknowledges that software can be a valuable, separately tradablecommodity. It is intended to encompass software, which runs on orcontrols “dumb” or standard hardware, to carry out the desiredfunctions. It is also intended to encompass software which “describes”or defines the configuration of hardware, such as HDL (hardwaredescription language) software, as is used for designing silicon chips,or for configuring universal programmable chips, to carry out desiredfunctions.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized tostore program instructions can be distributed across a network. Forexample, a remote computer may store an example of the process describedas software. A local or terminal computer may access the remote computerand download a part or all of the software to run the program.Alternatively, the local computer may download pieces of the software asneeded, or execute some software instructions at the local terminal andsome at the remote computer (or computer network). Those skilled in theart will also realize that by utilizing conventional techniques known tothose skilled in the art that all, or a portion of the softwareinstructions may be carried out by a dedicated circuit, such as a DSP,programmable logic array, or the like.

Any range or device value given herein may be extended or alteredwithout losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilledperson.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described abovemay relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Theembodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the statedproblems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits andadvantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ itemrefers to one or more of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally,individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter describedherein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combinedwith aspects of any of the other examples described to form furtherexamples without losing the effect sought.

The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the method blocksor elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprisean exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additionalblocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above description of a preferredembodiment is given by way of example only and that variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The abovespecification, examples and data provide a complete description of thestructure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Althoughvarious embodiments of the invention have been described above with acertain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or moreindividual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerousalterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of this invention.

1. An animation creation apparatus comprising: a multi-touch paneldisplay; a processor arranged to control the multi-touch panel display;an image capture device in communication with the processor and arrangedto capture images of animation components; a memory arranged to storeanimation components; a microphone in communication with the processorand arranged to capture sound during an animation narration; a userinterface engine arranged to control the multi-touch panel display suchthat, during the animation narration, user input received from aplurality of users via the multi-touch panel display is used tomanipulate presentation of at least one of the animation components atthe multi-touch panel display; the processor being arranged to store inthe memory an animation comprising the sound captured during ananimation narration and the display of animation components at themulti-touch panel display during that animation narration; a hand-heldview-finding frame arranged to support the image capture device using afixing arranged to detachably fix the image capture device to the frame,the frame comprising: a view-finding aperture; and an identifier,wherein the image capture device is arranged to associate the identifierwith the images of animation components.
 2. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the memory is arranged to store animation componentsselected from any of: images of objects; images of environments,sequences of images of objects, sequences of images of environments. 3.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the user interface engine isarranged to provide simultaneous independent control of a plurality ofanimation components.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein theprocessor is arranged to autonomously manipulate at least one of theanimation components during an animation narration.
 5. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 4 wherein the processor comprises an image analysiscomponent arranged to analyse the animation components and wherein theprocessor is arranged to carry out the autonomous manipulation on thebasis of that image analysis.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5wherein the image analysis component is selected from any of: facedetector; object recognition engine.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim1 wherein the fixing is positioned on the frame with respect to theview-finding aperture such that in use, when the image capture device isfixed to the fixing, the image capture device captures images of a scenedepicted from a view point substantially in registration with theaperture.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the framecomprises at least one button arranged to actuate the image capturedevice and at least one handle for holding the frame.
 9. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the at least one button is positioned inrelation to the handle such that, in use, the at least one frame may beheld and the image capture device actuated, with one hand.
 10. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged tomodify images of animation components on the basis of the associatedidentifier.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein theview-finding aperture is rectangular and the frame comprises two handlessubstantially parallel to one another and positioned on opposite sidesof the aperture and wherein the frame and aperture are sized and shapedto enable a plurality of users to operate it together.
 12. An apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a substantiallycircular disk, and a handle extending radially from an edge of thecircular disk and wherein the processor is arranged to magnify at leastparts of the images captured by the image capture device in a mannerindicative of a magnifying glass.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein the frame is substantially in the shape of a cone and whereinthe processor is arranged to zoom at least parts of the images capturedby the image capture device in a manner indicative of a telescope. 14.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a housingholding the microphone and a support for mounting the frame on asurface.
 15. An animation creation apparatus comprising: a multi-touchpanel display; a processor arranged to control the multi-touch paneldisplay; an image capture device in communication with the multi-touchpanel display and arranged to capture images of animation components; amemory arranged to store animation components; a microphone incommunication with the multi-touch panel display and arranged to capturesound during an animation narration; a user interface engine arranged tocontrol the multi-touch panel display such that, during the animationnarration, user input received from a plurality of users via themulti-touch panel display is used to manipulate at least one of theanimation components; the processor being arranged to store at thememory an animation comprising the sound captured during an animationnarration and the display of animation components at the multi-touchpanel display during that animation narration; a hand-held view-findingframe arranged to support the image capture device using a fixingarranged to detachably fix the image capture device to the frame, theframe comprising: a view-finding aperture; and an identifier, andwherein the processor is further arranged to modify the images ofanimation components on the basis of an associated identifier.
 16. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the image capture device isarranged to associate the identifier with the images of animationcomponents.
 17. A method of creating an animation comprising the stepsof: using an image capture device to capture images of animationcomponents; storing the animation components at a memory; using amicrophone in communication with a processor to capture sound during ananimation narration; using a user interface engine to control amulti-touch panel display such that, during the animation narration,user input received from a plurality of users via the multi-touch paneldisplay is used to independently manipulate presentation of a pluralityof the animation components at the multi-touch panel display; using theprocessor to store at the memory an animation comprising the soundcaptured during an animation narration and the display of animationcomponents at the multi-touch panel display during that animationnarration; using a hand-held view-finding frame to support the imagecapture device using a fixing arranged to detachably fix the imagecapture device to the frame, the frame comprising a view-findingaperture, and an identifier; and associating the identifier with theimages of animation components.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 17further comprising modifying the images of animation components on thebasis of the associated identifier.